Man sought in assault of Mason police chief

MASON - Police are looking for a man who attacked Police Chief Barry Hutchins and then ran off during an attempted drug arrest Friday night.

According to a press release, Hutchins stopped a motor vehicle in the area of 80 Brookline Road and attempted to arrest Russell N. Monbleau, 38, of Fitchburg, Mass., for possession of crack cocaine. The man assaulted the chief, fighting with him on the ground and then throwing a heavy metal chair at him, knocking Hutchins to the ground, police said.

The man then ran into the woods. Despite backup from officers from Brookline, Temple-Greenville and New Ipswich, as well as canine units from state police and Milford police, the man could not be located.

The driver of the car, Danielle Dickstein of Amherst, 34, was arrested at the scene and charged with possession of crack cocaine and possession of marijuana.

Police were seeking a warrant for Monbleau's arrest, according to the press release.

A police dispatcher last night said he was unable to provide any information about the extent of Hutchins' injuries. And he could not explain where the chair used to attack the chief came from.